What Dinkum Systems does

Dinkum Systems designs, manufactures, and sells modular camera and microphone mounting hardware for professional cinematographers, photographers, videographers, audio engineers, and adjacent specialty users. The product portfolio centers on patented clamping technology (U.S. Patent No. 8,602,662) embodied in the ActionPod and ActionPod PRO camera mounts, the COMPACT, CINE, and PRO lens shades (French flags), and the FlexiMount microphone mount. All products share a common 3/4-inch interlocking arm system with hourglass-shaped connectors and 1-inch length-adjustment increments, allowing interchange of clamps, bases, lens shades, and tops without tools. The catalog is rounded out with mobile accessories (MagSafe Phone Mount, Phone Grip, Tablet Holder), the Savior Clamp for industrial users, adaptor screws, extension links, and bundled kits such as the DSLR ProPack and Video ProPack that combine multiple components for specific shooting scenarios.

The business is a one-time hardware sale model with no recurring or subscription revenue. Products retail from $5 (Double-Adaptor Segment) to $195 (Video ProPack) and are sold via two channels: a global network of specialty camera dealers and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at dinkumsystems.com, with orders shipped from Denver, Colorado typically within one business day worldwide. The company was founded in the late 1990s by Colorado cinematographer John Mans as The Clamp Flag Company, rebranded to Dinkum Systems in 2009, and was acquired by Chimera Lighting in 2018. It currently operates with 1-10 employees as a privately held subsidiary under the Chimera Lighting parent, with no external funding.

Name

Dinkum Systems

Legal name

Dinkum Systems

Website

https://dinkumsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dinkum Systems designs and sells patented modular clamping mounts, lens shades (French flags), and microphone mounts for professional cinematographers, photographers, videographers, and audio engineers, distributed globally through specialty camera dealers and its own e-commerce site as a subsidiary of Chimera Lighting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cinematography Accessories

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Tripods, Mounts & Supports (Tripods, Monopods, Clamps, Action Mounts) (CRACAPAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gimbals, Stabilizers & Camera Support Retail (Tripods, Sliders, Mounts) (CRACAHAE), Production Equipment & Technical Services (Camera/Lighting/Grip, Virtual Production) (MPAAAMAH)

Keywords

• Camera mounting equipment
• Lens shades
• Microphone mounts
• Cinematography accessories
• Modular mounting systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Dinkum Systems generates revenue through the sale of physical camera and microphone mounting equipment. Products include lens shades, camera mounts, microphone mounts, and accessories sold at various price points from $5 to $195. Revenue is one-time transaction based with no recurring subscription component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dinkum Systems manufactures and sells modular camera, microphone, and mobile device mounting equipment for professional cinematography and photography use. The product portfolio centers on patented clamping mounts (ActionPod series), lens shades/French flags (COMPACT, CINE, PRO series), and microphone mounts (FlexiMount), supported by an ecosystem of interchangeable accessories, adapters, and bundled kits. All products are designed for tool-free configuration and field durability in extreme shooting environments.

Product overview

Dinkum Systems is a manufacturer of professional camera, microphone, and mobile device mounting equipment. The product portfolio centers on modular mounting solutions including lens shades (called French flags) and camera/microphone mounts. The core product line includes ActionPod and ActionPod PRO clamping camera mounts, COMPACT/CINE/PRO series lens shades, and FlexiMount microphone mounts. These products feature interchangeable components allowing users to configure mounts for different applications. The ecosystem includes phone mounts, tablet holders, clamping accessories, arm extensions, and conversion adaptors that all work together with the standard 3/4-inch modular arm system. Bundled kits like DSLR ProPack and Video ProPack combine multiple products for specific use cases. The company was founded in the late 1990s, operated as The Clamp Flag Company before rebranding in 2009, and was acquired by Chimera Lighting in 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ActionPod A clamping monopod camera mount providing quick and easy mounting solution for GoPro, point-and-shoot, or small video cameras. Features a 5-link, 7-inch adjustable arm and strong spring clamp with 1.5-inch jaw opening, supporting cameras up to 3 lbs. Patented at U.S. Patent No. 8,602,662.
• ActionPod PRO Professional-grade quick clamping mount for point-and-shoot, DSLR, or action sport cameras. Features a large 2-inch spring clamp and 7-link, 9-inch adjustable arm with greater flexibility than standard ActionPod. Supports cameras up to 3 lbs. Patented at U.S. Patent No. 8,602,662.
• COMPACT Lens Shade Professional French flag lens shade for DSLRs and small video cameras. Secures to hot-shoe bracket with a 10-link, 7.5-inch ball-and-socket arm holding a 5-inch wide aluminum shade. Protects from lens flare, dust, and drizzle.
• CINE Lens Shade w/ Clamp Professional-grade French flag lens shade for large film and video cameras. Features a 10x6.5-inch beveled-edge anti-reflective aluminum shade supported by a spring clamp and 15-link, 16-inch adjustable arm. The company's flagship professional product.
• PRO Lens Shade w/ Screw Mount French flag lens shade for field cameramen fastening directly to accessory blocks or standard 1/4-20 attachment points. Features a 10-inch anti-reflective aluminum shade with 14-inch adjustable arm for shoulder-mount cameras.
• PRO Fixed Base Mount Lens Shade French flag lens shade affixed to camera handle for shooters preferring horizontal profile mounting. Features 10-inch anti-reflective aluminum shade with 13-segment, 14-inch adjustable arm. Secures to 1/4-20 female thread on professional camera handles.
• FlexiMount Quick-clamping microphone mount with strong base and 9-link, 11-inch adjustable arm for optimum audio positioning. Features 2-inch wide jaw clamps with rubber lining for non-damaging grip. Ideal for roadies, documentary filmmakers, audio engineers, and podcasters. Holds up to 2 lbs.
• Phone Mount MagSafe compatible phone mount with magnetic base gripping iron and steel surfaces. Features two cold shoe mounts for lights and microphones, and 1/4-20 threaded socket for mounting Dinkum FlexiMount and ActionPod devices.
• Phone Grip for Dinkum Grip device with multiple 1/4-20 and 3/8-inch threads for attaching phones, monitors, and other items. Compatible with ActionPod, ActionPod PRO, and FlexiMount. Accommodates surfaces 1-2 inches thick.
• Tablet Holder for Dinkum Media production tablet holder with multiple mounting connections on all sides and spring-loaded jaw for easy placement. Adjustable to fit tablets 5.1-8.9 inches wide. Features protective non-slip rubber lining.
• Savior Clamp for Dinkum Super strong clamp compatible with ActionPod, ActionPod PRO, and FlexiMount. Features 1/4-20 or 3/8-inch male threads. Used across military, forensics, mechanics, and surgical applications.
• DSLR ProPack Component kit combining Dinkum products with patented hot-shoe mounted COMPACT lens shade. Includes ActionPod, FlexiMount, clamping tops, and additional arm segments in a canvas bag with eyebolts for storage.
• Video ProPack Professional video kit combining mounts, shade, adaptive tops and bases from the full product line. Creates at least eight accessory options for clamping French flag, monitor mounts, GoPro mounts, tripod substitute, podcast mic setup, and cable management.
• Phone Mount + FlexiMount Kit Combined kit featuring magnetic phone mount with 12-inch flexible reach and heavy-duty 2-inch clamp. Includes dual cold shoe mounts and modular design customizable in 1-inch increments. Holds up to 3 lbs.
• Clamp-to-Clamp Dual-clamp mounting device with 2-inch spring clamp on one end and 1-inch spring clamp on the other, connected by 13 interlocking segments. Features hourglass-shaped double-adaptor piece allowing clamp base on either end.
• ActionPod Top - 1/4" & 3/8" thread Interchangeable top for CINE and PRO lens shades to convert them into camera or microphone mounts. Features 3/8-16 adaptor screw revealing 1/4-20 thread for universal mounting compatibility.
• Additional links 3/4" x 5 segments Extension segments to lengthen Dinkum Systems mounts and lens shades in 1-inch increments. Package includes 5 additional arm segments for customization.
• Clamping Top - 1" Converts Dinkum camera mounts or lens shades into clamp-to-clamp devices. Features 1-inch spring clamp with double-adaptor piece. Not compatible with COMPACT lens shade.
• Clamping Top - 2" Converts Dinkum camera mounts or lens shades into clamp-to-clamp devices. Features 2-inch spring clamp with double-adaptor piece. Not compatible with COMPACT lens shade.
• Adaptor Screw - 1/4" to 3/8" Thread adaptor converting 1/4-20 inch thread to 3/8-16 inch male thread. Enables fast conversion from camera mounting device to microphone shock mount.
• Screw Mount - 1/4" Alternative base for Dinkum standard 3/4-inch sized arm products. Screws directly to camera handle or accessory block with 1/4-20 inch thread. Not compatible with COMPACT lens shade.
• Fixed Base Mount 1/4" Alternative base for Dinkum standard 3/4-inch sized arm products. Screws to 1/4-20 inch female thread on camera handles. Provides horizontal mounting profile. Not compatible with COMPACT lens shade.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products can hold devices up to 3 lbs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Chimera LightingcoreOthersChimera Lighting acquired Dinkum Systems in 2018. Chimera has been developing and manufacturing lighting products for cinema, video, and still photography since 1980. Their lighting products have consistently helped professional imagemakers worldwide deliver award-winning imagery. The acquisition brought Dinkum Systems under the Chimera umbrella while maintaining the Dinkum brand identity.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ARRI: ARRI is a global incumbent in professional cinema cameras, lighting, and accessories. Comparable to Dinkum as the dominant end-to-end provider of cinematography equipment, with mounting accessories sold as part of a much broader product portfolio.
• Sachtler: Sachtler (Vitec Group) is a long-established manufacturer of professional camera support systems including tripods, fluid heads, and pedestals. Comparable to Dinkum in serving professional broadcast and cinematography markets, though at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Really Right Stuff: Really Right Stuff manufactures premium tripods, ball heads, clamps, and camera support systems for professional photographers and videographers. Comparable to Dinkum in the high-quality, professional-grade mount and clamp category.
• Matthews Studio Equipment: Matthews is a long-established manufacturer of grip equipment, clamps, and camera-support hardware for film and television production. Comparable to Dinkum in serving professional cinematographers with rugged mounting and clamping solutions.
• SmallRig: SmallRig designs and sells camera cages, rigs, handles, and modular mounting accessories for mirrorless and DSLR shooters. Highly comparable to Dinkum's modular mounting system and target user of independent content creators and videographers.
• Ikan Corporation: Ikan designs and sells professional cinematography accessories including camera supports, monitors, and mounting hardware. Comparable to Dinkum as a complementary accessories brand targeting the same professional videographer and cinematographer segments.
• Tilta: Tilta manufactures camera cages, rigs, handles, and modular mounting systems for cinema and mirrorless cameras. Directly comparable to Dinkum's modular, configurable mount ecosystem and overlapping customer base of videographers and content creators.
• Zacuto: Zacuto designs and sells camera rigs, mounts, and support accessories for independent filmmakers and DSLR/mirrorless shooters. Comparable to Dinkum in modular camera-mount design philosophy and professional/independent filmmaker customer base.
• Wooden Camera: Wooden Camera manufactures professional camera accessories including mounting plates, rails, clamps, and lens supports for cinema cameras. Directly comparable as a premium camera-support specialist serving film and television professionals, like Dinkum's core cinematography segment.
• Manfrotto: Manfrotto (Vitec Group) is a leading global manufacturer of camera supports, tripods, clamps, and mounting accessories for photographers and videographers. Directly comparable to Dinkum's mounts and clamps category with broader scale and deeper retail distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dinkumsystems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dinkum Systems